The Closer Repot: May 20, 2010
SAVES: Jose Valverde (11) - He needed 24 pitches and walked two batters, but the end result was another sweet fist pumping save. His season ERA is now at a microscopic 0.48.
Brian Fuentes (6) - Fuentes actually had a 1-2-3 inning, READ ALL ABOUT IT! Needed 15 pitches and got the save. Yeah.
Chad Qualls (7) - It almost seems like you never hear this guys name, but today he got his first save since May 4th and only his second save of the month. He only faced one batter and struck him out.
Jose Contreras (2) - Got his second save as the Phillies closer, but made it very interesting. Allowed the first two batter to reach, but went on to strikeout two of the next three batters. Overall, he needed 31 pitches.
Jonathan Broxton (8) - Recorded his eighth save of the season in a 4-1 win over the rival Padres. Broxton needed only 13 pitches and struck out one.
BLOWN SAVES:
Francisco Cordero (1-3, BS3) - Cordero came into a disaster of an inning and was asked to stop the bleeding. The Braves had already put on three runs and had the bases loaded. Instead of doing what closers do best, he gave up a grand slam that barely cleared the wall. This is the third blown save of the season for Cordero and granted he's having a good season, this is the reason I steer clear of him.
Kevin Gregg (0-1, BS2) - Gregg didn't stand a chance tonight. After their manager got kicked out an inning earlier, the Mariners were fired up. Gregg didn't have his good stuff, and he was all over the place. The end result was 3 runs on three hits and two walks. Just a terrible outing, but you had to expect it out of Gregg eventually. It will be important to see how he reacts during his next outing.
APPEARANCES:
Manny Corpas - One inning in a 4-0 game. He looked great, giving up a lone hit.
Jon Rauch - Got some work in a losing situation against the Red Sox. Threw a perfect inning with no strikeouts.
Listen to Todd "The True Guru" Farino breakdown all the closer activity three times a week on Blog Talk Radio. Every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 11pm PST. www.blogtalkradio.com/the-closer-report or download the podcast on ITunes!
Ryan Franklin (10) - Franklin joined the DD club (double digit) with his tenth save of the season. He started off by getting the first two outs on two pitches. He then walked a batter before striking out the final better to end the game.
Rafael Soriano (11) - Soriano got called into a ninth inning with two runners on. He got the first two batters out, striking out Randy Winn, but then gave up a two RBI double to Derek Jeter before getting the final out and securing the save. Overall, Soriano was outstanding. He gave up a double to one of the best clutch hitters in baseball and frankly if there were no runners, there would be no runs.
Brian Fuentes (6) - Fuentes actually had a 1-2-3 inning, READ ALL ABOUT IT! Needed 15 pitches and got the save. Yeah.
Chad Qualls (7) - It almost seems like you never hear this guys name, but today he got his first save since May 4th and only his second save of the month. He only faced one batter and struck him out.
Jose Contreras (2) - Got his second save as the Phillies closer, but made it very interesting. Allowed the first two batter to reach, but went on to strikeout two of the next three batters. Overall, he needed 31 pitches.
Jonathan Broxton (8) - Recorded his eighth save of the season in a 4-1 win over the rival Padres. Broxton needed only 13 pitches and struck out one.
BLOWN SAVES:
Francisco Cordero (1-3, BS3) - Cordero came into a disaster of an inning and was asked to stop the bleeding. The Braves had already put on three runs and had the bases loaded. Instead of doing what closers do best, he gave up a grand slam that barely cleared the wall. This is the third blown save of the season for Cordero and granted he's having a good season, this is the reason I steer clear of him.
Kevin Gregg (0-1, BS2) - Gregg didn't stand a chance tonight. After their manager got kicked out an inning earlier, the Mariners were fired up. Gregg didn't have his good stuff, and he was all over the place. The end result was 3 runs on three hits and two walks. Just a terrible outing, but you had to expect it out of Gregg eventually. It will be important to see how he reacts during his next outing.
APPEARANCES:
Manny Corpas - One inning in a 4-0 game. He looked great, giving up a lone hit.
Jon Rauch - Got some work in a losing situation against the Red Sox. Threw a perfect inning with no strikeouts.
Listen to Todd "The True Guru" Farino breakdown all the closer activity three times a week on Blog Talk Radio. Every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 11pm PST. www.blogtalkradio.com/the-closer-report or download the podcast on ITunes!
